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SU Basketball Coach Jim Boeheim Strikes, Kills Man On I-690

Chad Cooper
/
Wikimedia Commons

Updated  5:52 p.m.

Syracuse University basketball coach Jim Boeheim hit and killed a man late Wednesday night on Interstate 690. Syracuse Police report that the victim, 51-year-old Jorge Jimenez of Syracuse, had been exiting a vehicle that lost control on the highway and hit a guard rail.

Syracuse Police Cheif Kenton Bucker said neither Boeheim or the other driver  will be charged at this time. 

Buckner says the four people that were in the disable car were attempting to cross the road and get to the median for safetly. Boeheim noticed the disabled car in the middle of the road, and tried to avoid it. In trying to avoid the car, Boeheim hit Jimenez. Boeheim was in the car alone. 

Boeheim released a statement regarding the crash saying, "I am heartbroken that a member of our community died as a result of last night's accident. Juli and I extend our deepest sympathies to the Jimenez family. Out of respect for those involved, I will not be providing further comment at this time."

Syracuse Athletic Director John Wildhack said in a statement, "On behalf of Chancellor Kent Syverud and the entire Syracuse community, we extend our deepest condolences to all impacted by this tragic accident. Coach Boeheim is in contact with local authorities and cooperating fully. Out of respect for those grieving, there will be no further comment at this time."

Wildhack added in a later statement, "The Coach is heartbroken. Coach Boeheim met briefly with his team today, but did not attend or participate in practice."

Police say both Boeheim and the driver of the vehicle passed field sobreity tests and are cooperating with the investigation.

Cheif Buckner says he believes did play a role in the crash. The driver of Jimenez's vehicle is thought to have hit a patch of ice before crashing.

In a statement, ESPN said it will not bring College GameDay to the Carrier Dome in light of the fatal accident. They will broadcast from their offices in Bristol, CT. Syraucse plays Duke on Saturday. 

Full Statement From Syracuse Police Department:

The Syracuse Police Department investigates a fatal crash. On Wednesday, February 20, 2019, at about 11:22 P.M., the Syracuse Police Department responded to 690 East near Thompson Road for a crash. Upon Officers arrival, they found a 51 year old victim, Jorge Jimenez, of Syracuse who had been struck by a vehicle. The victim was transported to Upstate University Hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

The Syracuse Police Department Traffic Section commenced an investigation. As a result of that investigation so far, it was revealed that the victim was an occupant in a vehicle that had lost control on the highway striking a guard rail. The occupants then exited the vehicle and proceeded to walk on the highway within close proximity to that vehicle. An oncoming vehicle noticed the disabled car and tried avoiding the vehicle which was in the middle of the road. As a result, the driver, James Boeheim 74, of Fayetteville NY struck the victim who was standing on the side of the road. Both drivers remained on scene and are cooperating with this investigation. Field sobriety and alco-sensor tests for both drivers were negative for any signs of impairment. Reconstruction of the scene will be performed and speeds cannot be determined at this time. No Uniformed Traffic Tickets have been issued at this time.

This is a developing story and the investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Syracuse Police Department at 442-5222 or using the SPD tips app. 

Scott Willis covers politics, local government, transportation, and arts and culture for WAER. He came to Syracuse from Detroit in 2001, where he began his career in radio as an intern and freelance reporter. Scott is honored and privileged to bring the day’s news and in-depth feature reporting to WAER’s dedicated and generous listeners. You can find him on twitter @swillisWAER and email him at srwillis@syr.edu.